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From Pastor Kristen:
"God’s love is not fair. It is not based on a calculation of good deeds minus bad deeds multiplied by the number of Sundays someone comes to church. Rather, God loves us so much there is no scale adequate to calculate God’s devotion. Love like this cannot be measured, tracked, or managed. But it can be witnessed in Jesus dying on a cross to show us just how far God will go to prove God’s immeasurable love.
Love like that is for you. Love like that is for me. It is for our neighbor. It is for the stranger. Love like that is for those deemed worthy and for those deemed unworthy. The good news is that God does not love us fairly. Instead, God loves us – fiercely, vulnerably, courageously, and unendingly.
God welcomes sinners and eats with them. God desires to bring back into community those who’ve been cut off. God celebrates and rejoices each time those who have been lost are found once again. And we in the church should recognize how that describes each and every one of us. The church is filled with folks like the older brother and younger brother – not to mention older and younger sisters and siblings of all kinds. All of whom are loved by God and welcomed as God’s children to this meal of forgiveness." excerpt from Sunday's sermon based on Luke 15:1-3, 11-32
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Return to Activities after Worship
Because of the low COVID case rates in the county and high vaccination rates among our members, we have resumed both fellowship time and choir practice after worship.
Choir will gather in the sanctuary approximately 15 minutes after the end of worship (enough time to grab some coffee).
Fellowship time will be offered as often as there are volunteers to host. Please sign up to: set up/clean up coffee, bring refreshments, or both!
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Prayer Around the Cross
Wednesdays at 7 p.m.
Join us for an evening worship service that includes scripture readings, prayers, silence, and opportunities to gather around the cross, light a candle, pray, and walk a labyrinth.
We will be collecting canned soup for the Little Free Pantry, and our offering will support Oaks Indian Mission.
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Eastern Missouri ELCA Ministries
All are invited to an Easter Vigil worship service at 7:30 p.m. at Resurrection Lutheran Church. This is a collaborative service of the Eastern Missouri ELCA Ministries.
This night we move from the darkness of Good Friday to the light of Easter. Our worship has four parts: the services of Light, Readings, Baptism, and Communion. A reception with pie and bubbly drinks will follow.
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Second Quarter Penny Power:
Lutheran Disaster Response is accompanying our partners in Eastern Europe with immediate support and supplies such as food, blankets, water and hygiene kits. Care also includes pastoral and psychological support to address the trauma they’ve endured.
Watch an update on the response: https://fb.watch/bWY3p5L6XC/
If you would like to give beyond loose change, you can make a check out to Shepherd of the Hills with "LDR Ukraine" in the memo line.
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Praying for the Central States Synod
Throughout 2022 we will be praying each Sunday for the congregations and ministries of the Central States Synod. This week we lift in prayer:
Bethlehem Lutheran Church, WaKeeney, KS
Emanuel Lutheran Church, WaKeeney, KS
Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, Ness City, KS
St. John Lutheran Church, Ellis, KS
Zion Lutheran Church, WaKeeney, KS
May these communities be inspired by the good news of Jesus Christ and guided by the Holy Spirit. Amen.
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Worship at Shepherd of the Hills
Currently our faith community is worshipping both in-person and online (YouTube). In-person worship is mask-optional; however, those serving communion will wear masks. If you are not feeling well, please stay home and join us on YouTube.
We livestream the worship service at 9 a.m. here:
Shepherd of the Hills ELCA St Louis - YouTube
Later that day we will post the worship recording on the church Facebook page, YouTube channel, and worship webpage.
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Support Shepherd of the Hills
We encourage you to keep up with your pledged giving in support of SOTH’s continued ministry.
As always, you can mail a check to 4161 Cypress Road, St. Ann, MO 63074.
You can also give online by visiting https://www.churchtrac.com/donate?ui=0F8921C9
Please refer to instructions for setting up an online account.
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Stay Connected
Please stay tuned to sothstl.org and this email list for updates.
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